Products Registered for Varroa Mite Control
Mark H. Creighton, Apiary Inspector

Varroa Mite (Varroa destructor) continues to be an important problem for Connecticut beekeepers. Heavy mite infestations continue to be detected during bee inspections.  The Varroa mite is a vector of 18 different bee viruses and plays a vital role in declining bee health. Varroa mite loads in honeybees colonies need to be assessed several times per year and appropriate Integrated Pest Management techniques employed. Successful Varroa control solutions are proactive. They control Varroa before the mites reach levels that threaten colony productivity and survival, rather than respond after the damage has occurred.  The Honey Bee Health Coalition has produced the following guide to effectively control varroa mites.  The Varroa Management Guide can be located at:

                                             https://honeybeehealthcoalition.org/varroa/

Rotation of the chemical products may help offset the development of resistance in the mites due to over use of a single chemical.

Please remember that all Honey Bee Hives are required to bee registered in CT per section 22-89 of the Connecticut General Statutes. Beekeepers must now use the  Connecticut e-license site to register Honey bee hives at:
                                             https://www.elicense.ct.gov/login.aspx

Should you have any questions, please contact Mark Creighton, our Apiary Inspector & Master Beekeeper @ Mark.Creighton@ct.gov.